William F. “Bill” Eichner

William F. “Bill” Eichner, age 86 of Westbrook passed away on Friday, July 16, 2010 at Westbrook Good Samaritan Center.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 21 at Grace Lutheran Church in Westbrook.  Visitation will be held Tuesday, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Westbrook Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.  Interment is in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Rosehill Township.  The Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

 William Fredrick Eichner was born December 27, 1923 in Rosehill Township, Cottonwood County to Christian and Anna (Lohse) Eichner.  He was baptized December 20, 1931 and confirmed in October 1939 at Trinity Lutheran Church (now Grace Lutheran).  Bill attended Country School District 64 and graduated from Storden High School in 1942.  He was united in marriage to Elaine Mischke on April 26, 1957 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rosehill Township, near Westbrook.  After high school Bill began farming in partnership with his brother Albert before purchasing his own farm.  He also drove a bulk fuel truck for Tri-County of Westbrook for 2 years, and was then employed at Toro Company in Windom for many years.  Bill was a lifetime member of Grace Lutheran Church where he served on the Church Council and was an usher.  He was also a member of the Senior Citizens Center where he held various offices.  Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, and auctions, and was a card player most of his life.  In his younger years he was in the Rosehill Men’s Softball League. 

Bill is survived by Elaine, his wife of 53 years; children: Mark (Laura) Eichner of Austin, TX, Diana Williams of Westbrook, Jay (Rochelle) Eichner of Hamburg, MN, Kay (Jason) Loken of Marshall and Kathy (Bart) Belshan of Glenville, MN; grandchildren: Riley Williams, Ross (Briana) Williams, Brody Williams, Wayne (Rachel) Hamilton, Cory (Erin) Hamilton, Ryan Eichner, Bridget Eichner, Emily, Tyler and Bret Belshan, and Alex and Reese Eichner; and many other relatives and friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings Johnny Eichner, Rose Krause, Christian “Shorty” Eichner, Katharine Carey, Albert Eichner and an infant brother; nieces: Ann Marie Skjoiten, Patricia Eagen and Beatty Eichner; and nephew Randy Nelson.